Singapore, February 18, 2015 – On its 12th year, IDC Financial Insights will be holding its annual Asia Financial Services Congress (AFSC) at the Marina Bay Sands this 3rd and 4th day of March. Themed Going Beyond Digital | Making Experiences Count, this two-day event hosts a panel of over 40+ speakers and moderators, industry leaders and technology champions, who will deliver their insights on the latest disruptions in financial services.

As competitive threats persist, Asia’s financial services institutions (FSIs) are driven to evolve further, using early victories in digital transformation as foundations to push the boundaries of innovation. The renewed agenda for exploration and tactical decision-making is poised to attract increasingly diverse senior management and C-suite officers in the upcoming month, as the lines between business and technology continue to blur.

In 2016’s congress, IDC will facilitate discussions on the core theme of going beyond digital, and urge financial decision-makers to share their views on the new standards of customer experience which are founded on the following questions:

• How will my ability to engage with customers – on a truly one-on-one basis – be enhanced through recent leaps in Cognitive Computing?

• How can my organization accelerate its pace of innovation through Cloud and Big Data, using new disciplines like DevOps and Design Thinking?

• How do we move quickly into Next-Generation Security, that we may be fully confident in blazing a trail for future transformation?

“2016 will be the year when Asia/Pacific markets break many records of digitalization in financial services: smartphone banking penetration rates, online/mobile banking activity, and the introduction of new types of digital channels will lead to a profound adoption of "digital" among customers. Many Asia/Pacific banks will move decisively on their digital initiatives, and some will fundamentally change the way they interact with customers, says Michael Araneta, Director of Research and Consulting, IDC Financial Insights Asia/Pacific.

The AFSC will culminate with the announcement of the winners of this year’s Financial Insights Innovation Awards (FIIA) on 4th of March 2016. The FIIA was conceived alongside the congress in order to address the most timeless question of all – what should FSI do to be considered innovative? Having evaluated hundreds of submissions exclusively from end-user institutions over the years, IDC’s veteran team of analysts in collaboration with a panel of external judges, will proudly present 10 awards this year across multiple technology categories, alongside the coveted Best Bank in Asia/Pacific 2016 accolade.

Sui-Jon Ho, Program Director for the FIIA, states “The rising quality of submissions we receive year after year affirms the fact that the standard of technological excellence must be raised. Yet, the difference between success stories that simply meet KPIs and actual, definitive IT best practices remains one that is seldom appreciated. Our winners this year have provided exemplary demonstrations of not just how to innovate and transform, but how to do so cohesively, in alignment with their businesses, competitive ecosystems, and structural limitations.”

“The fruits of innovation are, after all, meant to help FSIs endure the trials-by-fire that today’s financial industry poses – and there will indeed be many more to come by the year’s end,” adds Mr. Ho.

IDC Financial Insights is the recipient of the Asia/Pacific MICE Awards 2015, for last year’s AFSC. In 2015, AFSC brought together over 500+ delegates from the banking and financial sector and IT vendors across the Asia/Pacific. IDC expects no less of a turnout next month.

“The team remains committed to further improve its model for industry engagement in 2016, and through its longstanding partnership with vendors, analysts and technology users alike, it hopes to facilitate market changes through such knowledge collaborations,” Mr. Araneta ended.

IDC Financial Insights assists financial service businesses and IT leaders, as well as the suppliers who serve them, in making more effective technology decisions by providing accurate, timely, and insightful fact-based research and consulting services. Staffed by senior analysts with decades of industry experience, our global research analyzes and advises on business and technology issues facing the banking, insurance, and securities and investments industries. International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology market. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology, media, research, and events company. For more information, please visit www.idc-fi.com , email info@idc-fi.com, or call 508-620-5533. Visit the IDC Financial Insights Community at http://idc-insights-community.com/financial

About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC.